Securely managing network element state information in transport-layer associations

ABSTRACT

Rules in NAT and firewall devices are updated only when a packet flow is verified as genuine through transport-layer message acknowledgment sequences. When a device receives a packet indicating initiation of a new association, the device stores an internal source tag, an internal destination tag, an external source tag, and an external destination tag. Only after receiving a completion acknowledgment message from the destination node, the device sets the internal source tag equal to the external source tag, and sets the internal destination tag equal to the external destination tag. The rules are then updated based on the internal tags. As a result, the approach thwarts denial of service (DOS) attacks that seek to modify rules of NAT and firewall devices to permit harmful traffic.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The subject matter of this application is generally related to thesubject matter of prior application Ser. No. 11/089,721, filed Mar. 25,2005, and commonly assigned to the assignee hereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to network data communications.The invention relates more specifically to techniques for managingtransport-layer protocols across network security devices such asnetwork address translators and firewalls.

BACKGROUND

The approaches described in this section could be pursued, but are notnecessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued.Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches describedin this section are not prior art to the claims in this application andare not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) is defined in IETF RFC 2960.This description assumes the reader has familiarity with and understandsRFC 2960. SCTP provides protection against modification of messagesrelating to SCTP associations through the use of data stored in cookies,and through the use of verification tag values. See R. Stewart et al.,“Stream Control Transmission Protocol” (Boston: Addison-Wesley, 2001),pp. 231-235.

Network administrators desire to deploy rules governing operation ofnetwork address translation (NAT) devices and firewall (FW) devices witha finite duration so that each rule has a lifetime equivalent to thelifetime of an association between endpoints. In present practice, NATdevices and FW devices do not consider the values of SCTP verificationtag values. Therefore, rules in NAT and FW devices that are establishedfor SCTP associations can expire only based on timers, administrativeaction, or configuration. There is a need for a way to cause rulesestablished in NAT devices and FW devices to expire automatically whenan SCTP association ends.

One approach to this problem would be to store a verification tagassociated with a particular traffic direction of an SCTP association inthe NAT device or FW device with each rule. However, this approach istoo rigid. In normal operation of SCTP, verification tags of anassociation sometimes change. For example, if one endpoint of theassociation restarts, the restarting endpoint normally advertises achanged verification tag value to the other endpoint. Unfortunately,security vulnerability would occur if the NAT device or FW deviceupdated the verification tag stored with association information tomatch a changed verification tag. In particular, if the NAT device or FWdevice updated a verification tag based on a spoofed or unauthorizedSCTP message, then an attacker could implement a denial-of-service (DoS)attack merely by sending messages with changed verification tag values.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram that illustrates an example networkarrangement that may be used to implement an embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a flow diagram that illustrates a high level overview of oneembodiment of a method for securely managing network element stateinformation in transport-layer associations;

FIG. 2A is an SCTP message flow diagram illustrating a normal INIT witha NAT device;

FIG. 2B is a message flow diagram that illustrates further messages inthe process of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is an SCTP message flow diagram illustrating an INIT collisionwith a NAT device;

FIG. 3B is a message flow diagram that illustrates further messages inthe process of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a message flow diagram that illustrates further messages inthe process of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is an SCTP message flow diagram illustrating a RESTART with aNAT device;

FIG. 4B is an SCTP message flow diagram illustrating an INIT collisionwith a NAT device after a RESTART as in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a message flow diagram that illustrates further messages inthe process of FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B;

FIG. 5A is an SCTP message flow diagram illustrating an attempted attackon an association flowing through an NAT device;

FIG. 5B is a message flow diagram that illustrates further messages inthe process of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon whichan embodiment may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method and apparatus for securely managing network element stateinformation in transport-layer associations is described. In thefollowing description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, toone skilled in the art that the present invention may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-knownstructures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

Embodiments are described herein according to the following outline:

-   -   1.0 General Overview    -   2.0 Structural and Functional Overview    -   3.0 Stream Transmission Control Protocol (SCTP) Approach For        Managing Network Element State Information        -   3.1 Normal INIT with NAT Device        -   3.2 INIT Collision with NAT Device        -   3.3 Device Restart with NAT        -   3.4 Attempted Attack on NAT Device        -   3.5 Notes on the Approaches Herein    -   4.0 Implementation Mechanisms-Hardware Overview    -   5.0 Extensions and Alternatives        1.0 General Overview

The needs identified in the foregoing Background, and other needs andobjects that will become apparent for the following description, areachieved in the present invention, which comprises a method and devicethat are configured as further described herein.

Generally, in the approach of the invention, rules in NAT and firewalldevices are updated only when a packet flow is verified as genuinethrough transport-layer message acknowledgment sequences. The SCTPprotocol defines the use of verification tags (V-tags) for SCTPmessages, which comprise one or more “chunks.” In the approach herein, anetwork device such as a NAT or firewall creates an internal source tag,an internal destination tag, an external source tag, and an externaldestination tag. When the device receives a message or chunk indicatinginitiation of a new association, the V-tag in the message is stored inone of the external tags. The external tags are used to verify thevalidity of other messages or chunks that could be sent spuriously by anattacker, such as an ABORT chunk or a shutdown event. Only afterreceiving a completion acknowledgment message from the destination node,the device sets the internal source tag equal to the external sourcetag, and sets the internal destination tag equal to the externaldestination tag. The rules are then updated based on the internal tags.

As a result, the approach thwarts denial of service (DOS) attacks thatseek to modify rules of NAT and firewall devices to permit harmfultraffic. The approach is robust in the face of INIT collisions andendpoint restarts, as well as DOS attacks.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method for securely managingnetwork element state information in transport-layer associations at anetwork device that is logically coupled between a source node and adestination node in a telecommunication network, the method comprisingthe computer-implemented steps of receiving a transport layer protocolinitialization packet indicating initiation of a new association;creating and storing, for the new association, an internal source tag,an internal destination tag, an external source tag, and an externaldestination tag; setting the external destination tag to a firstdestination value carried in the initialization message; receiving aninitialization acknowledgment message and setting the external sourcetag to a second destination value carried in the initializationacknowledgment message; and only after receiving another acknowledgmentmessage from the destination node, setting the internal source tag equalto the external source tag, and setting the internal destination tagequal to the external destination tag.

According to one feature, the network device is any one device selectedfrom the group consisting of a network address translator, a networkaddress port translator, and a firewall. In another feature, thetransport layer protocol is Stream Transmission Control Protocol. In yetanother feature, the transport layer protocol is Stream TransmissionControl Protocol (SCTP), the transport layer protocol initializationpacket is an SCTP INIT packet, the initialization acknowledgment messageis an SCTP INIT-ACK packet, and the completion acknowledgment message isan SCTP COOKIE-ACK packet.

In yet another feature, a packet admission rule in the NAT device isupdated with the internal source tag and the internal destination tagonly after receiving a completion acknowledgment message from thedestination node, setting the internal source tag equal to the externalsource tag, and setting the internal destination tag equal to theexternal destination tag.

In still another feature, the external source tag and externaldestination tag are cleared if the initialization acknowledgment messageis not received in a specified maximum allowed time. In yet anotherfeature, the external source tag and external destination tag arecleared if the completion acknowledgment message is not received in aspecified maximum allowed time.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method, comprisingreceiving, at a network address translation (NAT) device that islogically coupled between a source node and a destination node in atelecommunication network, a transport layer protocol initializationpacket indicating initiation of a new association; creating and storing,for the new association, an internal source tag, an internal destinationtag, an external source tag, and an external destination tag; settingthe external destination tag to a first destination value carried in theinitialization message; forwarding the initialization packet toward thedestination node; receiving an initialization acknowledgment message;setting the external source tag to a second destination value carried inthe initialization acknowledgment message; forwarding the initializationacknowledgment message toward the source node; and only after receivinga completion acknowledgment message from the destination node, settingthe internal source tag equal to the external source tag, and settingthe internal destination tag equal to the external destination tag.

In other aspects, the invention encompasses a computer apparatus and acomputer-readable medium configured to carry out the foregoing steps.Example apparatus include a network address translator, network addressport translator, firewall, etc.

2.0 Structural and Functional Overview

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an example network arrangement that may beused to implement an embodiment. A first endpoint 102, also termed“endpoint A” herein, is coupled to a local area network (LAN) 104. Anetwork address translation (NAT) or firewall (FW) device 106 (alsotermed NAT/FW device 106) is coupled to LAN 104 and provides aninterface to an external untrusted network 108. The external network 108may comprise one or more local networks, wide area networks,internetworks, or a combination thereof. A second endpoint 110, alsotermed “endpoint Z” herein, is coupled to external network 108.

For purposes of illustrating a simple example, FIG. 1 shows twoendpoints, one NAT/FW device, and two networks. However, the approachesdescribed herein are broadly applicable to many other contexts. Forexample, network 104 need not be a LAN, but could be a service providernetwork, WAN, or any other resource that is protected using NAT/FWdevice 106. Further, endpoints 102, 110 need not be network end stationdevices such as workstations, personal computers, servers, etc., but mayrepresent one or more intermediate networking devices in combinationwith such end stations.

In conventional practice an endpoint located behind a FW/NAT device,such as endpoint A, is assigned a private network address. In networksbased on Internet Protocol (IP), the private network address is notpublicly routable in the Internet. The FW/NAT device exposes adifferent, publicly routable network address to external devices. Forillustrating a clear example, this description assumes that endpoint Ahas a private network address of 10.1.1.1 and FW/NAT device 106 uses theaddress 65.5.1.1 as an external, publicly routable address.

FIG. 1B is a flow diagram that illustrates a high level overview of oneembodiment of a method for updating state information in a networkelement. The approach of FIG. 1B may be performed, for example, in aFW/NAT device and provides resistance to denial-of-service attacks thatseek to modify rules of NAT and firewall devices to permit harmfultraffic. The approach also is robust in the face of a crash by theNAT/FW device.

In step 120, a transport layer protocol initialization packet isreceived. Receiving the packet may occur at a networking device thatconnects two networks, such as FW/NAT device 106. The packet indicatesinitiation of a new association of endpoints in the transport layerprotocol. Stream Transmission Control Protocol (SCTP) is an exampletransport layer protocol with which embodiments may be used.

In step 122, the receiving device creates and stores an internal sourcetag, internal destination tag, external source tag, and externaldestination tag. The tags are used to store the state of an associationbetween endpoints; however, the tags are organized in a set of internaltags that represent reliable, verified information, and external tagsthat are exposed to the endpoints temporarily as the receiving deviceperforms verification steps. The use of internal and external tags isdescribed further herein in other sections below. However, in general,the internal tags are used within a protocol stack of the receivingdevice and therefore the values of the internal tags are modified onlywhen the receiving device determines with confidence that a legitimatesource and destination are communicating. Until such confidence isobtained, only the external tag values are exposed to endpoint nodes. Atthe time of step 122, the receiving device is uncertain whether theinitialization message is genuine, and therefore the tag values areconsidered inchoate or uncommitted.

In step 126, the initialization packet is forwarded towards thedestination node. Typically the destination node is within a LAN orother protected network that the receiving device protects. In step 128,an initialization acknowledgment message is received from thedestination node. At step 130, the external source tag is set equal to asecond destination value that is carried in the initializationacknowledgment message. Thus, once the initialization acknowledgmentmessage is received, the receiving device gains confidence that theinitialization process has been started by a legitimate network node.

At step 132, the initialization acknowledgment message is forwardedtoward the source node. At step 134, a test is performed to determine ifa completion acknowledgment message has been received from thedestination node. If not, then the tag values are not modified, asrepresented by step 140. Waiting continues indefinitely or, optionally,until a specified time period that is selected to preventdenial-of-service conditions from occurring.

At step 136, once a completion acknowledgment message has been receivedfrom the destination node, the internal source tag is set equal to theexternal source tag, and at step 138, the internal destination tag isset equal to the external destination tag. Thus, the receiving deviceconsiders the values of the external source and destination tags asauthoritative, and adopts them for internal protocol use, only after acompletion acknowledgment message is received from the destination node.

The following sections describe a more specific implementation of thepreceding general approach.

3.0 Stream Transmission Control Protocol (SCTP) Approach for UpdatingNetwork Element State Information

3.1 Normal INIT with NAT Device

FIG. 2A is an SCTP message flow diagram illustrating a normal INITtransaction with a NAT device; FIG. 2B is a message flow diagram thatillustrates further messages in the process of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2A-5B use the following text notations. E-A means endpoint A. E-Zmeans endpoint Z. NAT means a network address translator device, whichmay be a network address port translator or firewall in variousembodiments. “10.x.x.x” denotes a private LAN in which devices have IPaddresses in the range 10.1.1.1 to 10.255.255.255. “65.5.x.x” denotes apublicly routable network in which devices have addresses in the range65.5.1.1 to 65.5.255.255. The text “0:WIT(Tag-A)” means an SCTP INITmessage originating from an endpoint with the verification tag set to 0(because for an INIT message SCTP requires the V-tag to be set to 0)carrying an initial tag value of A. Tag_I means internal source tag.Tag_E means internal destination tag. Tag_I_ext means external sourcetag. Tag_E_ext means external destination tag.

Referring first to FIG. 2A, when the NAT initiates operation, the NATcreates Tag_I, Tag_E, Tag_I_ext, and Tag_E_ext. The NAT sets the valuesof all such tags to 0 or empty. The state of an association of endpointA and endpoint Z is set to “not connected.”

From behind the NAT, endpoint A sends an INIT message identifying itselftoward endpoint Z, which the NAT receives. The NAT performs conventionaladdress and possibly port translation and saves its state values. Inparticular, at step (1), the NAT sets Tag_I=0, Tag_E=0, Tag_I_ext=0,Tag_E_ext=A. The Tag A of the internal association is saved in theexternal tag value, not the internal or steady state tag values (Tag_Iand Tag_E) that represent authoritative state information for theassociation. As a result, the approach herein operates correctly whenone or more additional INIT messages arrive for an association beforethe association reaches the established state (INIT collisions).

In an embodiment, a setup timer is started, to ensure that exchanges arecompleted. In one embodiment, the timer runs for about 20-40 ms, or forabout the length required for endpoints to perform a four-way SCTPhandshake given then-current network delay, but any timer duration maybe selected. The NAT then forwards the INIT message toward Z.

Endpoint Z sends an INIT-ACK message back. As shown by step (2), normaltranslation occurs back to the internal address. Further, the NAT alsoverifies that the Tag value of the INIT-ACK message matches either Tag_Eor Tag_E_ext. In the case illustrated in FIG. 2A, Tag_e is empty (asdenoted by the value 0), so only Tag_E_ext is checked. The Tag Z valuereceived in the INIT-ACK message is stored as the Tag_I_ext value. TheNAT then forwards the INIT-ACK message toward endpoint A.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, endpoint A sends a COOKIE-ECHO message towardendpoint Z, and the message is received at the NAT. At step (3), the NAToptionally checks that the Tag_I value is correct by comparison to theTag_I_Ext value. If no match is found, the COOKIE-ECHO message isdiscarded. If the match is successful, no state values are updated, butthe NAT performs normal address and port translation to a globaladdress, and forwards the COOKIE-ECHO message toward endpoint Z.

Endpoint Z then sends a COOKIE-ACK message toward endpoint A, and themessage is received at the NAT. At step (4), when the COOKIE-ACK messagearrives the NAT verifies that the tag value carried in the messagematches the Tag_E_Ext value. If the tag value does not match, then themessage is discarded. Assuming that the tag value matches, receiving aCOOKIE-ACK message also indicates that the endpoints have completed avalid message acknowledgment sequence. Therefore, in response, the Exttag values are transferred to the authoritative internal tag values.Therefore, Tag_I is set equal to the value of Tag_I_Ext, and Tag_E isset equal to Tag_E_Ext. Further, Tag_I_Ext and Tag_E_Ext are reset toempty values. Thus, only receiving a COOKIE-ACK message drives the tagvalues to an established state and results in storing Tag_I and Tag_E.

In embodiments that are used with protocols other than SCTP, a messageequivalent to COOKIE-ACK, indicating that both endpoints have completeda valid handshake for an association, may drive the change in tag valuesto the established state.

At step (5), the NAT has formed an established connection between theendpoints. For subsequent messages, the NAT performs addresstranslations (and optionally port translation), and may optionally blockmessages or packets that do not carry the correct tag values. Anexception is that new INIT/INIT-ACK sequences, which cause the NAT tostore tags in the Tag_I_Ext and Tag_E_Ext values, repeating thepreceding procedure. However, in no case are the state values discardedif the tags do not match; this prevents rogue endpoints from destroyingvalid state information by guessing tag values and spoofing messagesthat contain the guessed tag values. Further, only messages used forsetting up an association are allowed to transition the NAT if only theexternal tags match; normal data transfer or other control messages arenot allowed to pass through the NAT unless the internal tags match.

Further, if an ABORT or SHUTDOWN chunk arrives, the NAT can validatesuch chunks, and only tear down state values for an association when theverification tag in every chunk of the shutdown sequence matches theauthoritative tag values, Tag_I or Tag_E.

3.2 INIT Collision with NAT Device

Using the tag values in the preceding manner provides protection for theNAT during a collision of INIT messages. To illustrate an INIT collisionscenario, FIG. 3A is an SCTP message flow diagram illustrating an INITcollision with a NAT device, FIG. 3B is a message flow diagram thatillustrates further messages in the process of FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3C is amessage flow diagram that illustrates further messages in the process ofFIG. 3A. Referring first to FIG. 3A, step (1) indicates a point at whichall steps in the preceding description of FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B haveoccurred.

A new INIT message with a different tag value, Tag-X, is then receivedfrom endpoint Z. At step (2), in a first alternative, the tag value of Xis stored in the Tag_I_Ext value. Optionally, because both Tag_I andTag_E have empty values, in a second alternative, the previously storedvalues in Tag_I_Ext and Tag_E_Ext could be moved to Tag_J and Tag_E, asillustrated in FIG. 3A.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, a COOKIE-ECHO message identifying Z is thenreceived from endpoint A. If the first alternative of step (2) is used,then the COOKIE-ECHO message can be discarded, because it carries thewrong tag in comparison to the second INIT that was received. If thesecond alternative of step (2) is used, then the COOKIE-ECHO message isforwarded to endpoint Z, and endpoint Z will discard the message becausethe message carries the wrong tags.

Assume that an INIT-ACK message identifying X and carrying Tag=A is thenreceived. At step (4), the NAT forwards the INIT-ACK message to endpointZ because tag X matches the value of Tag_I_Ext. Further, the value ofTag_E_Ext is updated, regardless of which alternative of step (2) wasused.

Referring now to FIG. 3C, assume a COOKIE-ECHO with tag A is receivedfrom endpoint Z. At step (5), the tag value of A is accepted, becausethe value of Tag_E_Ext is A. Therefore, the COOKIE-ECHO message isforwarded to endpoint A.

At step (6), a COOKIE-ACK message with tag X is received. Because themessage is a COOKIE-ACK message indicating completion of handshakingbetween A and Z, and because the tag value X is found in Tag_I_Ext, thevalues of Tag_I and Tag_E are updated based on Tag_I_Ext and Tag_E_Ext,respectively. Therefore, the values of Tag_I and Tag_E becomeestablished and authoritative, while prior messages with incorrect tagshave been dropped. The values of Tag_I_Ext and Tag_E_Ext are reset to anempty state.

3.3 Device Restart with NAT

FIG. 4A is an SCTP message flow diagram illustrating a RESTART with aNAT device; FIG. 4B is an SCTP message flow diagram illustrating an INITcollision with a NAT device after a RESTART as in FIG. 4A; FIG. 4C is amessage flow diagram that illustrates further messages in the process ofFIG. 4A, FIG. 4B.

Referring first to FIG. 4A, as indicated by the label “Established,” atstep (1) the NAT has reached an established state for communicationsbetween A and Z. The NAT rejects packets with tag values that do notmatch Tag_I or Tag_E. Alternatively, the NAT forwards such packets torespective endpoints, while performing address and port translation, andwhile ignoring packets that attempt to perform shutdown or abort eventsand that carry incorrect tags.

Assume next that endpoint Z restarts operation. A restart may resultfrom a software or hardware failure, interruption or crash at endpointZ, or for other reasons. After restarting, endpoint Z attempts tore-establish an association to endpoint A. At step (2), a new INITmessage with a different tag has arrived from an endpoint. The value ofTag-X is stored in Tag_I_Ext temporarily, because the NAT cannot yetverify whether the message is valid. A timer is started. If the timerexpires, then the values of Tag_I_Ext and Tag_E_Ext are cleared. TheINIT message is forwarded to endpoint A with translation, ensuring thatthe same port values are used.

As seen in FIG. 4B, endpoint A sends an INIT-ACK message with tag X andalso carrying Tag=B. At the NAT, the new tag B is stored in Tag_E_Extbecause B does not match the value of Tag_I_Ext, as shown at step (3).The NAT then forwards the INIT-ACK message toward endpoint Z.

Referring now to FIG. 4C, at step (4) endpoint Z sends a COOKIE-ECHOmessage with tag value B, which the NAT forwards to endpoint A because Bis found in Tag_E_Ext. At step (5), A replies with a COOKIE-ACK messagebearing tag X. Because X is found in Tag_E_Ext, the COOKIE-ACK messageis interpreted to validly complete establishment of an associationbetween A and Z, and therefore the NAT moves the values of Tag_I_Ext andTag_E_Ext into Tag_I and Tag_E, respectively, and resets Tag_I Ext andTag_E_Ext to empty. The NAT has reached an established state for theassociation of A and Z.

The preceding message flow illustrates that the approaches hereinsuccessfully protect a NAT device and endpoints from spoofed or spuriousSCTP messages, while allowing endpoints to resynchronize an associationafter an endpoint restarts.

3.4 Attempted Attack on NAT Device

FIG. 5A is an SCTP message flow diagram illustrating an attempted attackon an association flowing through an NAT device; FIG. 5B is a messageflow diagram that illustrates further messages in the process of FIG.5A. Referring first to FIG. 5A, at step (1) endpoints A, Z perform thesteps of FIG. 2A, resulting in creating an association with anestablished state. The stored tag values are X and B, as shown for Tag_Iand Tag_E, respectively.

Assume that an attacker sends an INIT message carrying Tag-Q, which isreceived at the NAT. The NAT stores Q in Tag_I_Ext only, because the NATcannot verify the validity of Q or the INIT message, and starts a timer.Tag_E_Ext remains empty. The NAT then forwards the INIT message toendpoint A. Because the attacker is not the real endpoint Z, theattacker will never receive any returned INIT-ACK message.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, at step (3), endpoint A generates an INIT-ACKmessage labeled with Q and carrying a new Tag-P. The NAT stores P inTag_E_Ext and forwards the INIT-ACK message to endpoint Z. Becauseendpoint Z has not previously sent an INIT carrying Q, Z discards theINIT-ACK message, as required by the definition of SCTP in RFC 2960.

Assume next that the attacker sends an ABORT message with the T bit setand tagged with Q. Because neither Tag_I nor Tag_E has the value Q, theNAT discards the ABORT message and does not forward the ABORT message toendpoint A. The fact that Q is stored in Tag_I_Ext is immaterial. As aresult, the attempted attack is thwarted.

At some point thereafter, the timer expires. The values of Tag_I_Ext andTag_E_Ext are reset to empty, because the endpoints failed to complete aproper exchange of state setup messages.

In an embodiment, any ABORT message or shutdown-type message that isreceived with a tag not found in Tag_I or Tag_E is ignored, even whenthe tag value is present in Tag_I_Ext or Tag_E_Ext. Further, the NATalways starts a timer when an INIT is forwarded, in order to determinewhether endpoints properly complete establishing state information foran association. Optionally, the NAT also may drop other data carryingincorrect tags, as defined in the SCTP specification of RFC 2960;however, INIT and INIT-ACK messages are always forwarded subject to theprocesses described herein. Forwarding INIT and INIT-ACK messages is aminimum step to enable the endpoints to establish an association ifpossible; in essence the approach copies state information carried inINIT and INIT-ACK messages into temporary locations for the purpose ofvalidating ABORT messages or shutdown sequences. However, only asuccessful completion of established state, as indicated by a COOKIE-ACKmessage, results in updating the temporary, Ext tag values toauthoritative tag values.

In one embodiment, the validation steps performed herein also mayexamine the TSNs carried in DATA chunks.

3.5 Notes on the Approaches Herein

The approaches herein prevent an attacker from successfully implementinga denial of service attack against a NAT or endpoint even if theattacker can guess the outer IP address and port value for bothendpoints of an association. The use of two sets of tag values in theNAT, combined with monitoring messages that pass through the NAT as partof an association setup sequence, allows NAT rules to exist only for thelifetime of an association, and does not allow an attacker tomaliciously modify any of the NAT rules.

In prior approaches, an attacker who has guessed such information cansend another INIT chunk with an arbitrary V-tag value and the initialTSN value through the NAT. The attacker could flood the NAT with INITchunks with arbitrary V-tag values, resulting in a successful denial ofservice attack. In prior approaches; no V-tag or sequence numberprotection is provided in SCTP. Further, in prior approaches the NAT hasno way to validate the cookie mechanism used by SCTP to address thistype of DOS attack, because the contents of cookies areimplementation-specific, so that the NAT cannot necessarily understandand use the contents of particular cookies.

Further, if the NAT attempts to implement attack prevention simply byusing V-tags, and/or TSNs for DATA chunks, to filter traffic, a new INITchunk and a subsequent INIT-ACK reply from the peer endpoint wouldreplace the real V-tag and TSN values that are stored in the NAT andused for the true association. Such replacement would prevent trafficfrom flowing through the NAT.

An IETF internet-draft, the documentdraft-xie-behave-sctp-nat-cons-00.txt, describes certain issues withSCTP NAT traversal, in the case of both single-homed and multi-homedendpoints. The approaches herein apply to both single-homed andmulti-homed endpoints, with respect to a single message flow for anassociation that is passing through a NAT and that is identified by aparticular 4-tuple of source and destination network address values andsource and destination port values. It also can be applied to endpointsthat make use of a 4-tuple source and destination address in combinationwith the source and destination v-tags as defined in the IETF internetdraft entitled draft-stewart-behave-sctpnat-00.txt.

The approaches herein are useful for any network that uses SCTP for atransport protocol, or a similar transport protocol, and uses a NAT,PAT, NAPT, or firewall device in the network, including serviceproviders, enterprise users, small office users, home office users, homeusers, etc.

4.0 Implementation Mechanisms—Hardware Overview

FIG. 6 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system 700 uponwhich an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. The preferredembodiment is implemented using one or more computer programs running ona network element such as a router device. Thus, in this embodiment, thecomputer system 700 is a router.

Computer system 700 includes a bus 702 or other communication mechanismfor communicating information, and a processor 704 coupled with bus 702for processing information. Computer system 700 also includes a mainmemory 706, such as a random access memory (RAM), flash memory, or otherdynamic storage device, coupled to bus 702 for storing information andinstructions to be executed by processor 704. Main memory 706 also maybe used for storing temporary variables or other intermediateinformation during execution of instructions to be executed by processor704. Computer system 700 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 708or other static storage device coupled to bus 702 for storing staticinformation and instructions for processor 704. A storage device 710,such as a magnetic disk, flash memory or optical disk, is provided andcoupled to bus 702 for storing information and instructions.

A communication interface 718 may be coupled to bus 702 forcommunicating information and command selections to processor 704.Interface 718 is a conventional serial interface such as an RS-232 orRS-422 interface. An external terminal 712 or other computer systemconnects to the computer system 700 and provides commands to it usingthe interface 714. Firmware or software running in the computer system700 provides a terminal interface or character-based command interfaceso that external commands can be given to the computer system.

A switching system 716 is coupled to bus 702 and has an input interface714 and an output interface 719 to one or more external networkelements. The external network elements may include a local network 722coupled to one or more hosts 724, or a global network such as Internet728 having one or more servers 730. The switching system 716 switchesinformation traffic arriving on input interface 714 to output interface719 according to pre-determined protocols and conventions that are wellknown. For example, switching system 716, in cooperation with processor704, can determine a destination of a packet of data arriving on inputinterface 714 and send it to the correct destination using outputinterface 719. The destinations may include host 724, server 730, otherend stations, or other routing and switching devices in local network722 or Internet 728.

The invention is related to the use of computer system 700 for securelymanaging network element state information in transport-layerassociations. According to one embodiment of the invention, securelymanaging network element state information in transport-layerassociations is provided by computer system 700 in response to processor704 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructionscontained in main memory 706. Such instructions may be read into mainmemory 706 from another computer-readable medium, such as storage device710. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in main memory706 causes processor 704 to perform the process steps described herein.One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement may also beemployed to execute the sequences of instructions contained in mainmemory 706. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be usedin place of or in combination with software instructions to implementthe invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to anyspecific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat participates in providing instructions to processor 704 forexecution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limitedto, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks,such as storage device 710. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, suchas main memory 706. Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copperwire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus 702.Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves,such as those generated during radio wave and infrared datacommunications.

Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppydisk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magneticmedium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, anyother physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM,a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave asdescribed hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer canread.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 704 forexecution. For example, the instructions may initially be carried on amagnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load theinstructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over atelephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer system 700 canreceive the data on the telephone line and use an infrared transmitterto convert the data to an infrared signal. An infrared detector coupledto bus 702 can receive the data carried in the infrared signal and placethe data on bus 702. Bus 702 carries the data to main memory 706, fromwhich processor 704 retrieves and executes the instructions. Theinstructions received by main memory 706 may optionally be stored onstorage device 710 either before or after execution by processor 704.

Communication interface 718 also provides a two-way data communicationcoupling to a network link 720 that is connected to a local network 722.For example, communication interface 718 may be an integrated servicesdigital network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide a data communicationconnection to a corresponding type of telephone line. As anotherexample, communication interface 718 may be a local area network (LAN)card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN.Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation,communication interface 718 sends and receives electrical,electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streamsrepresenting various types of information.

Network link 720 typically provides data communication through one ormore networks to other data devices. For example, network link 720 mayprovide a connection through local network 722 to a host computer 724 orto data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 726.ISP 726 in turn provides data communication services through the worldwide packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the“Internet” 728. Local network 722 and Internet 728 both use electrical,electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams. Thesignals through the various networks and the signals on network link 720and through communication interface 718, which carry the digital data toand from computer system 700, are exemplary forms of carrier wavestransporting the information.

Computer system 700 can send messages and receive data, includingprogram code, through the network(s), network link 720 and communicationinterface 718. In the Internet example, a server 730 might transmit arequested code for an application program through Internet 728, ISP 726,local network 722 and communication interface 718. In accordance withthe invention, one such downloaded application provides for securelymanaging network element state information in transport-layerassociations as described herein.

The received code may be executed by processor 704 as it is received,and/or stored in storage device 710, or other non-volatile storage forlater execution. In this manner, computer system 700 may obtainapplication code in the form of a carrier wave.

5.0 Extensions and Alternatives

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evidentthat various modifications and changes may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Thespecification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

1. A method, comprising: receiving, at a network address translation(NAT) device that is logically coupled between a source node and adestination node in a telecommunication network, a transport layerprotocol initialization packet indicating initiation of a newassociation; creating and storing, for the new association, an internalsource tag, an internal destination tag, an external source tag, and anexternal destination tag; setting the external destination tag to afirst destination value carried in the initialization packet; forwardingthe initialization packet toward the destination node; receiving aninitialization acknowledgment message; setting the external source tagto a second destination value carried in the initializationacknowledgment message; forwarding the initialization acknowledgmentmessage toward the source node; and only after receiving a completionacknowledgment message from the destination node, setting the internalsource tag equal to the external source tag, and setting the internaldestination tag equal to the external destination tag.
 2. A method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the transport layer protocol is StreamTransmission Control Protocol.
 3. A method as recited in claim 2,wherein the transport layer protocol is Stream Transmission ControlProtocol (SCTP), wherein the transport layer protocol initializationpacket is an SCTP INIT packet, wherein the initialization acknowledgmentmessage is an SCTP INIT-ACK packet, and wherein the completionacknowledgment message is an SCTP COOKIE-ACK packet.
 4. A method asrecited in claim 1, wherein a packet admission rule in the NAT device isupdated with the internal source tag and the internal destination tagonly after receiving the completion acknowledgment message from thedestination node, setting the internal source tag equal to the externalsource tag, and setting the internal destination tag equal to theexternal destination tag.
 5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein theexternal source tag and external destination tag are cleared if theinitialization acknowledgment message is not received in a specifiedmaximum allowed time.
 6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein theexternal source tag and external destination tag are cleared if thecompletion acknowledgment message is not received in a specified maximumallowed time.
 7. A method of managing network element state informationat a network device that is logically coupled between a source node anda destination node in a telecommunication network, the method comprisingthe computer-implemented steps of: receiving a transport layer protocolinitialization packet indicating initiation of a new association;creating and storing, for the new association, an internal source tag,an internal destination tag, an external source tag, and an externaldestination tag; setting the external destination tag to a firstdestination value carried in the initialization packet; receiving aninitialization acknowledgment message and setting the external sourcetag to a second destination value carried in the initializationacknowledgment message; and only after receiving a completionacknowledgment message from the destination node, setting the internalsource tag equal to the external source tag, and setting the internaldestination tag equal to the external destination tag; wherein the stepsof the method are performed by the network device.
 8. A method asrecited in claim 7, wherein the network device is any one deviceselected from the group consisting of a network address translator, anetwork address port translator, and a firewall.
 9. A method as recitedin claim 7, wherein the transport layer protocol is Stream TransmissionControl Protocol.
 10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein thetransport layer protocol is Stream Transmission Control Protocol (SCTP),wherein the transport layer protocol initialization packet is an SCTPINIT packet, wherein the initialization acknowledgment message is anSCTP INIT-ACK packet, and wherein the completion acknowledgment messageis an SCTP COOKIE-ACK packet.
 11. A method as recited in claim 7,wherein a packet admission rule in the network device is updated withthe internal source tag and the internal destination tag only afterreceiving the completion acknowledgment message from the destinationnode, setting the internal source tag equal to the external source tag,and setting the internal destination tag equal to the externaldestination tag.
 12. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein theexternal source tag and external destination tag are cleared if theinitialization acknowledgment message is not received in a specifiedmaximum allowed time.
 13. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein theexternal source tag and external destination tag are cleared if thecompletion acknowledgment message is not received in a specified maximumallowed time.
 14. A network packet routing device that is logicallycoupled between a source node and a destination node in atelecommunication network, comprising: one or more processors; one ormore network interfaces that are communicatively coupled both to the oneor more processors and to the telecommunication network for receivingpacket flows therefrom; a computer-readable volatile or non-volatilemedium comprising one or more sequences of instructions which, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processorsto perform the steps of: receiving a transport layer protocolinitialization packet indicating initiation of a new association;creating and storing, for the new association, an internal source tag,an internal destination tag, an external source tag, and an externaldestination tag; setting the external destination tag to a firstdestination value carried in the initialization packet; receiving aninitialization acknowledgment message and setting the external sourcetag to a second destination value carried in the initializationacknowledgment message; and only after receiving a completionacknowledgment message from the destination node, setting the internalsource tag equal to the external source tag, and setting the internaldestination tag equal to the external destination tag.
 15. A device asrecited in claim 14, wherein the network packet routing device is anyone device selected from the group consisting of a network addresstranslator, a network address port translator, and a firewall.
 16. Adevice as recited in claim 14, wherein the transport layer protocol isStream Transmission Control Protocol.
 17. A device as recited in claim16, wherein the transport layer protocol is Stream Transmission ControlProtocol (SCTP), wherein the transport layer protocol initializationpacket is an SCTP INIT packet, wherein the initialization acknowledgmentmessage is an SCTP INIT-ACK packet, and wherein the completionacknowledgment message is an SCTP COOKIE-ACK packet.
 18. A device asrecited in claim 14, wherein a packet admission rule in the networkpacket routing device is updated with the internal source tag and theinternal destination tag only after receiving the completionacknowledgment message from the destination node, setting the internalsource tag equal to the external source tag, and setting the internaldestination tag equal to the external destination tag.
 19. A device asrecited in claim 14, wherein the external source tag and externaldestination tag are cleared if the initialization acknowledgment messageis not received in a specified maximum allowed time.
 20. A device asrecited in claim 14, wherein the external source tag and externaldestination tag are cleared if the completion acknowledgment message isnot received in a specified maximum allowed time.
 21. A network packetrouting device that is logically coupled between a source node and adestination node in a telecommunication network, comprising: one or moreprocessors; one or more network interfaces that are communicativelycoupled both to the one or more processors and to the telecommunicationnetwork for receiving packet flows therefrom; means for receiving atransport layer protocol initialization packet indicating initiation ofa new association; means for creating and storing, for the newassociation, an internal source tag, an internal destination tag, anexternal source tag, and an external destination tag; means for settingthe external destination tag to a first destination value carried in theinitialization packet; means for receiving an initializationacknowledgment message and setting the external source tag to a seconddestination value carried in the initialization acknowledgment message;and means for setting the internal source tag equal to the externalsource tag, and setting the internal destination tag equal to theexternal destination tag only after receiving a completionacknowledgment message from the destination node.
 22. A device asrecited in claim 21, wherein the network packet routing device is anyone device selected from the group consisting of a network addresstranslator, a network address port translator, and a firewall.
 23. Adevice as recited in claim 21, wherein the transport layer protocol isStream Transmission Control Protocol.
 24. A device as recited in claim23, wherein the transport layer protocol is Stream Transmission ControlProtocol (SCTP), wherein the transport layer protocol initializationpacket is an SCTP INIT packet, wherein the initialization acknowledgmentmessage is an SCTP INIT-ACK packet, and wherein the completionacknowledgment message is an SCTP COOKIE-ACK packet.
 25. A device asrecited in claim 21, wherein a packet admission rule in the networkpacket routing device is updated with the internal source tag and theinternal destination tag only after receiving the completionacknowledgment message from the destination node, setting the internalsource tag equal to the external source tag, and setting the internaldestination tag equal to the external destination tag.
 26. A device asrecited in claim 21, wherein the external source tag and externaldestination tag are cleared if the initialization acknowledgment messageis not received in a specified maximum allowed time.
 27. A device asrecited in claim 21, wherein the external source tag and externaldestination tag are cleared if the completion acknowledgment message isnot received in a specified maximum allowed time.
 28. A method asrecited in claim 1, wherein a subsequently received message is droppedwhen the subsequently received message is unrelated to setting up anassociation and comprises a verification tag that does not match eitherthe internal source tag or the internal destination tag.
 29. A method asrecited in claim 7, wherein a subsequently received message is droppedwhen the subsequently received message is unrelated to setting up anassociation and comprises a verification tag that does not match eitherthe internal source tag or the internal destination tag.
 30. A device asrecited in claim 14, wherein a subsequently received message is droppedwhen the subsequently received message is unrelated to setting up anassociation and comprises a verification tag that does not match eitherthe internal source tag or the internal destination tag.
 31. A device asrecited in claim 21, wherein a subsequently received message is droppedwhen the subsequently received message is unrelated to setting up anassociation and comprises a verification tag that does not match eitherthe internal source tag or the internal destination tag.